Brace for cases and the like containers



June 10, 1924. 1,497 121 R. H ROBERTS BRAci: FOR CASES Ami THE LIKECONTAINERS Filed May 2;. i923 i E IE; 3

v PIB- 4 [Ore/770W PH Robe/7J- Patented June 10, 1924. it

nears states RICHARD HENRY nonnars, or HENDERSON, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND,ASSIGN'OR TO ANGLE BRACE GOLLAPSIBLE 330x ooMteANY LIMITED, OE AUCKLAND,ZEA- LAND, .A CORPORATION OF NEW ZEALAND,

BRACE FO'R CASES AND THE LIKE CONTAINERS. T I

Applicat n filed y 21,

like Containers, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to braces, used on containers such as boxes,cases and the like, and has for its object the provision of an improvedform of brace, capable of being easily adjusted and secured on acontainer for the purpose of strengthening and holding the lattertogether, and whieh is also capable of being detached or removed withease and without trouble and damage, in order that it may be re-used.The special 26 form of brace to be herein described, is speciallyadapted for use on boxes or containers capable of being knocked down andreturned in a collapsed condition, and may be used as a means ofsecuring a lid on a container,

without the aid of nails or thelike.

According to the invention the improved brace comprises a frame memberof wire or -other suitable flexible material, which surrounds thatportion of the container it is de- 30 sired to reinforce or strengthen.

The brace is made large enough to enable it to be passed on thecontainer and over projections therefrom, after which the brace istwisted and tightened by swinging oppo- 5 site sides or portions inreverse directions, thereby causing the slack in the brace to be takenup and the latter to be strained around the container and to serve as abinder thereon. 1

After the brace has been tightened or strained around the container asmuch as possible, it is prevented from slacking off by securing theopposite sides or portions to the container against return movement.

In practice preferably one side or portion of the brace will be fixed tothe container, the slack in the brace being taken up, and the bracetightened by swinging the side or portion of the brace opposite thefixed side.

The improved brace and convenient means, for facilitating the twistingand tightening of same are shown in the accompanying drawing inconjunction with which the invention will be further described Figure 1is a plan View and 1923, seri l N0, 640,562.

Figure 2 a side view of a case, provided with the improved brace, andshowing same as it appears before being tightened, while Figure 3 is aplan view and Figure 4 a side view of the same case,

showing the improved brace as it appears when tightened.

In the drawing 1 represents a case of ordinary construction and 2 theimproved brace which is endless, and formed from wire or other materialhaving the necessary flexibility and strength.

A portion of the brace 2 in this instance the bottom of the latter, isaccommodated in a groove 3 formed either in the case 1 or as illustratedin a strip 4 of material fixed against movement on the case. Preferablythe groove 3 is formed at an angle other than a right angle to thelength of the case. Instead of being accommodated in the groove 3, thebottom of the brace can bear against a stop or stops on the container,so as to resist twisting of the brace.

The directly opposite portion of the brace 2 in this instance the topthereof, is engaged in or caused to lie in a groove 5 formed in a strip6 of material centrally pivoted as at 6 to the case. The strip 6 isprovided to facilitate straining or tightening the brace 2, but thelatter can be tightened without said strip 6.

The brace 2 is a given a shape similar to the outer cross sectional.shape ofi the case and is made large enough to be passed on the latterand over any projections therefrom, such as reinforcing battens and thelike, in order that its opposite portions may be placed in the grooves 3and 5 at opposite sides or portions of the case.

When this has been done the brace 2 will occupy or be in the positionshown in Figures 1 and 2 with its portions which connect the portionsengaged in the grooves .3 and 5 parallel with each other.

In this position the brace 2 is comparatively slack, that is to say ithas not been tightened or strained around the case.

To effect the tightening of the brace around the container the centrallypivoted strip 6 is swung on its pivot 6 as far as possible in thedirection indicated in Figure 1 in order to bring it to a positionsimilar to that shown in Figure 3, said strip being secured againstreturn movement on its pivot 6 under the influence of the twisted brace2, by

fastenings, preferably screws 7 inserted in the case.

The action of swinging the strip 6 on its pivot 6? efiectually takes upall the slack inthe brace 2 and causes same to be strained around thecase, the securing of said strip 6 in the position shown in Figure 3maintaining the brace 2 in its strained or taut conditlon with theportions Which connect the portions engaged in the grooves 3 and 5running in opposite directions or crossing ea'ch'other as shown inFigure 4:.

It will be obvious from the aforegoing that more than one brace can beused on a single case if circumstances necessitate it, also that inorder to ensure the brace 2 being tightened quickly and to the requiredextent both of the strips 4L and 6 canbe centially pivoted andprovidedwith fastening,

means 7, so as to be both capable of being swung" or'moved' to tightenthe brace, and further that it will be possible to tighten the brace onthe container by twisting without the aid of the'strips 4 and 6.

What I do claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates of America is 1 A brace for containers, comprising, afiexible'frame member adapted to be passed on a container and to betightened thereon, by having opposite sides thereof swung in reversedirections, and means for securing said opposite sides to the containerin positions wherein the brace is strained around the container.

2. A brace for containers, comprising, a flexible frame member adaptedto be passed on a container, and at least one grooved member secured tothe container and in which portions of the frame member are engaged; forenabling said frame member to be tightened on thecontainer.

3. A brace for containers, comprising, a flexible frame member adaptedto be passed on a container and to be placed so that a portion of thebrace is held against twisting movement; and a member containing agroove for accommodating another portion of the frame member andcentrally pivoted to the container, for enabling said frame member to betwisted and tightened on the container by turning movement oi saidpivoted member.

4. A brace for containers, comprising, a flexible frame member having ashape similar to the outer cross sectional shape of a container on whichit is to be used and adapted to be passed on the container, :1 memberfixed to the container and having a groove which receives a portion ofsaid frame member, a second member containing a groove for securing theportion of the frame member opposite to that portion engaged in thefixed member and centrally pivoted on the container, and means forsecuring the centrally pivoted grooved member in a position which holdsthe brace tightened around the container.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

RICHARD -HENRY ROBERTS.

Witnesses VJ LmAM' PRUCHES, MARY PIOKINGTON.

